Rashford double as United spoil Mourinho's return

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SHOWS: MANCHESTER, ENGLAND, UK (DECEMBER 4, 2019) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL)

1. (SOUNDBITE) (English) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR, MANAGER JOSE MOURINHO, SAYING:

"I think for 30 minutes, they were not just better than us, they were much better than us. They were much better in the intensity, in the aggression. They were winning first balls, second balls, 50/50 duels. But, we were lucky. And then, in the last 15 minutes of the first half, we were us and United was in trouble and we scored the goal. And I thought in the second half with some adjustments that we did at half-time, I thought that we were going to win it. But the second goal is not an easy one to process."

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER, OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER, SAYING:

"The boy (Marcus Rashford) is 22 and today he played like he was in the backyard or in the garden or playground with the mates. He just enjoyed himself. Sometimes, maybe some of the expectations and pressure on him - because we do expect a lot from him because he's shown it so many times. We want them to enjoy themselves. We want them to go out there like when he's facing players, taking them on, no fear of losing it. I love to watch that. And then that's what the Stretford End like to watch. Man United fans love to see wingers or forwards play with courage."

STORY: Jose Mourinho's return to Old Trafford ended in defeat as Marcus Rashford scored twice for Manchester United in a deserved 2-1 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday (December 4).

Mourinho was sacked as United manager almost a year ago and this was his first defeat in four games since taking over from Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs last month.

After their worst start to a season since 1988, United fans were justified in viewing Mourinho's return with apprehension.

But a hugely encouraging night for United ended with the Stretford End roaring their approval of his successor Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after an impressive performance by his team lifted them to sixth in the table.

Mourinho noted that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side, held by Aston Villa and Sheffield United in their last two league games, had delivered their best displays against the top-rated teams.

Solskjaer, meanwhile, was full of praise for 22-year-old England international, Rashford, who delivered a performance of real quality.